Newsletter - Embassy of the Philippines, New Delhi, India

Ambassador 

Benedicto is RP’s 14 th 

Envoy to India 

Ambassador Francisco L. 

Benedicto presented his Letter 

of Credence to President 

Pratibha Devisingh Patil on 10 

November 2008, becoming the 

14 th Ambassador Extraordinary 

and Plenipotentiary of the 

Philippines to the Republic of 

India since the two countries 

established diplomatic 

relations in 1949. 

The ceremony was held at the 

President’s Estate, Rashtrapati 

Bhavan, for five new foreign 

envoys to India. Aside from 

Ambassador Benedicto, the 

Ambassadors of Cote d’Ivoire, 

Canada, Italy and Ireland also 

presented their credentials. 

Secretary (West) Nalin Surie of 

the Ministry of External Affairs 

escorted Ambassador 

Benedicto and introduced him 

to the President. 

After accepting his Letter of 

Credence, President Patil 

asked Ambassador Benedicto 

to convey her greetings to 

President Gloria Macapagal 

Arroyo, and the Ambassador, 

in turn, imparted President 

Arroyo’s warm regards to the 

Indian President. 

After the presentation of 

credentials, the five new 

envoys held a tête-à-tête with 

the President, touching on a 

range of important issues 

including climate change and 

women empowerment. 

Ambassador Benedicto was 

accompanied by Mrs. Leontina 

Benedicto, Deputy Chief of 

Mission Maria Aileen H. 

Newsletter 


(November to December 2008 issue) 

Bugarin, Second Secretary Iric C. Arribas, Third Secretary Catherine 

Rose G. Torres, Defense and Armed Forces Attaché Col. Alex C. Capiña, 

and Administrative Officer Angel D. Espiritu. 

India is Ambassador Benedicto’s fifth Ambassadorial post, after 

Singapore, South Korea, Brazil and Canada. 

Ambassador Francisco L. Benedicto hands over her Letter of 

Credence to the Indian President, H.E. Pratibha Devisingh Patil. 

President Patil and Ambassador Benedicto together 

with Deputy Chief of Mission Maria Aileen Bugarin, Second 

Secretary and Consul Iric Arribas, and officials of the Indian 

Ministry of External Affairs. 

Philippine Embassy, New Delhi Newsletter 

November to December 2008 1

MESSAGES 


The Yuletide season offers a meaningful occasion for reflection that resonates with a 

universal message of hope. 

The peace and tranquility of the nativity scene reminds us anew of the aspirations we share 

and the responsibilities we must perform in pursuit of the larger human family’s common 

goals. 

In the past year, the men and women of the Department of Foreign Affairs redoubled efforts 

to build a stronger Republic and a more peaceful, progressive and prosperous world. 

We worked with the international community to sustain the onward advance of our nation’s interests in regional 

and global fora. We built more bridges of understanding for the world’s peoples through our advocacy of interfaith 

dialogue. We drew the family of nations closer in promoting, protecting and upholding the rights of migrant 

workers. We strengthened partnerships and forged new ones. And we sought intensified cooperation for broader 

democracy, wider growth, deeper reforms for good governance and sustainable development and freer, more 

transparent and equitable trade. In all of the Department’s undertakings, service to the Filipino remained at the 

very core. 

The year ahead offers opportunities and challenges for the Filipino nation and the world; yet we are confident of 

responding to and surmounting obstacles. 

Working as one united team, the men and women of the Department can harness international diplomacy to the 

fullest to help ensure a safer and more secure future for our people. 

In this season of joy and hope, we renew our faith in humanity’s goodness and reaffirm our resolve to work for the 

peace, progress and prosperity that the entire human family deserves. 

Isang Makabuluhang Pasko at Mapayapang Bagong Taon sa ating lahat! 

ALBERTO G. ROMULO 

Secretary of Foreign Affairs 

Anyone who visits the Philippines at Christmas time would notice something different in 

the air: not only the hint of hanging amihan, but more importantly, a palpable sense of joy 

and excitement. Christmas lights and other decors brighten up the houses, carols fill the 

air, and colorfully wrapped presents accumulate beneath beautifully trimmed Christmas 

trees. 

Here in India, Christmas is a much more muted affair. So it was all the more heartwarming 

to see how the Filipino community brought the Christmas spirit here in Delhi—by 

welcoming their kababayans to their homes for Christmas get-togethers, by preparing 

tasty delicacies to be shared with those who miss the taste of home-cooked Filipino food, and by greeting and 

embracing each other at church as they gathered together to pay homage to the baby Jesus in the manger. That 

they were able to recreate the fiesta atmosphere of our Pasko here abroad shows what a vibrant and close-knit 

Filipino community we have here in Delhi. 

In an interview on Christmas Eve, our President said that her Christmas wish is for the Filipinos to look with 

unshakeable hope and optimism in a bright future, for the nation to be united, and for the people to strive as one 

for prosperity for all. 

The unity and vitality demonstrated by the Filipino community here in Delhi this Christmas is already a step in that 

direction. It is my hope, therefore, that we can carry on in that course this coming 2009, and thereby contribute to 

an even brighter future for our country and people. 

Maligayang Pasko at manigong bagong taon sa ating lahat! 

FRANCISCO L. BENEDICTO 

Philippine Ambassador to India and Nepal 



RP and India 

Successfully Conclude 

Talks on Trade, 

Investments 

“Despite its shared history and 

decades of cultural and social 

interaction, the Philippines and 

India have yet to fully tap into the 

vast available opportunities of 

trade and investment between 

the two countries.” These were 

the remarks of the Department 

of Trade and Industry’s Senior 

Undersecretary Thomas G. 

Aquino that gave momentum to 

the discussions during the 10th 

RP-India Joint Working Group on 

Trade and Investment (JWGTI) 

held last November 21-22 2008 at 

the office of India’s Ministry of 

Commerce. Responding to the 

opening statement that included 

bilateral trade statistics provided 

by Indian Commerce Secretary 

Mr. G.K. Pillai, Aquino lauded the 

Indian side’s willingness to again 

seriously sit down and consider 

means of improving trade and 

investment between the two 

countries. 

Held as a bilateral forum to 

facilitate constructive dialogue 

on enhancing bilateral trade and 

investments, the 10th RP India 

JWGTI touched on various 

agenda including the 

enhancement of trade, 

cooperation, and assistance in 

various areas. 

Assistance and Cooperation. 

Both parties agreed to expedite 

signing of the MoU proposal of 

the Philippine Commission on 

Information and Communication 

Technology (CICT) with India’s 

Department of Information 

Technology to establish a Joint 

Working Committee to seek out 

specific projects of mutual 

cooperation in the field of ICT. 

India responded positively on the 

Philippine request for specialists 

who will travel to the Philippines 

to provide training in two 

industries which are its main 

strengths: organic product 


certification and accreditation, and advanced training, treatment, 

preservation, production technology, finishing techniques and design of 

bamboo products. 

The meeting also served as a venue for the Indian side to revive expressions 

of interest to move forward with its MoA on cooperation in Renewable 

Energy between the DoE and India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, 

as India proposed convening a Joint Committee Meeting in March 2009 to 

discuss and calendar specific areas of cooperation. In the same way, the 

meeting took up the revival of interst of the Philippine side (DoTC) on the 

MoU between Indian Railway Construction Company (IRCON) and Philippine 

National Railways (PNR) to conduct a feasibility study on the Iligan- 

Zamboanga segment of the Mindanao railways project. The Indian side 

expressed that they will be seeking alternative funding sources including 

assistance and grants from international agencies like the Asian 

Development Bank, which was suggested during the meeting. 

The Gas Authority of India (GAIL) likewise expressed its intention to reestablish 

contacts with the Philippine National Oil Company- Exploration 

Corporation (PNOC-EC) on the possible renewal of its agreement to explore 

the possibilities of developing a compressed natural gas (CNG) facility in the 

Philippines. 

Government Procurement. The Indian side expressed a positive response 

to issuing a special dispensation on the Philippine request through the 

Philippine International Trading Corporation (PITC) to export calibrated 

volumes of wheat and wheat flour to the Philippines despite a standing ban 

on India’s wheat exports. 

The Indian government also provided PITC with leads and information in 

sourcing HIV and cancer drugs which is the mandate of the parallel drug 

importation program under of PGMA’s half-priced medicines initiative. 

Indian Commerce Secretary Mr. G.K. Pillai and Philippine Undersecretary for 

Trade and Indusry Thomas G. Aquino signing the Minutes of the 10 th Joint 

Working Group Meeting on Trade and Investments. 

Candid Discussions. Frank and open discussions were made on issues 

raised by India regarding the visas of Indian IT professionals/businesspersons 

traveling to RP and the registration of Indian pharmaceutical products with 

DoH-BFAD. The DFA was pleased to report the relaxation of Visa rules, 

particularly the issuances of multi-entry businessmen and tourists under 

DFA’s Foreign Service Circular No. 144-07 issued on September 24, 2007. 

Under this circular Philippine Foreign Service Posts in India may now issue 

one -year multiple entry business visas without prior authorization from DFA 

Manila. 



The Indian side expressed 

optimism and were satisfied with 

the DoH-BFAD representative’s 

report on forthcoming 

improvements in pharmaceutical 

registration as a result of the 

enactment of RA 9502 (Cheaper 

Medicines Act). Specifically these 

are the recognition of the Indian 

Pharmacopoeia for quality 

Philippine specifications, the 

operation of an online 

registration facility, and the 

shortening of the registration 

process time to one month. 

BFAD also reported that the 

ASEAN regulations on 

Pharmaceuticals would be 

harmonized by 1 January 2009 

with details and guidelines 

available in its website. 

Investment Missions to the 

Philippines. The Indian side 

proposed cooperation in textiles 

through the expansion of textile 

trade between India and the 

Philippines and exploring the 

possibilities of joint-ventures with 

Filipino firms. For this purpose, 

the top Indian industry 

associations including the 

Federation of Indian Chambers of 

Commerce and Industry (FICCI) 

and the Confederation of Indian 

Industries (CII) shall be visiting 

the Philippines for this purpose. 

A similar in-bound mission shall 

be organized for the mining and 

tourism sectors in the Philippines. 

Towards a Stronger Bilateral 

Trade Relationship. As the 

meeting winded with the success 

of moving forward a number of 

issues and arriving at agreements 

of cooperation, both Secretary 

Pillai and Senior Undersecretary 

Aquino expressed the 

importance of the JWGTI as a 

vehicle for open and constructive 

discussions towards 

strengthening of the bilateral 

economic relations between the 

Philippines and India. Both sides 

expressed optimism that the 

ASEAN-India FTA will provide 

further impetus for higher level 

of economic engagement 

between the Philippines and 

India. 


Other members of the Philippine delegation included representatives from 

DTI’s Bureau of International Trade Relations; Philippine International 

Trading Corporation; Bureau of Food and Drugs; Department of Foreign 

Affairs; and the Philippine Embassy in New Delhi. 

The Indian delegation was represented by representatives from its Ministry 

of New and Renewable Energy, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, 

Ministry of Textiles, Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Science and Technology, 

Ministry of Food Processing Industry, Ministry of External Affairs, Dept. of 

Commerce, Dept. of Agriculture and Cooperation, Dept. of 

Telecommunications, Dept. of Health and Family Welfare, Dept. of 

Pharmaceuticals, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export 

Development Authority (APEDA), India Railway Construction Company 

(IRCON) and EXIM Bank of India. 

Ambassador and Mrs. Benedicto with DTI USec. Thomas Aquino and members 

of the Philippine delegation to the 10 th Joint Working Group Meeting on Trade 

and Investments after the dinner hosted by Ambassador Benedicto for the 

delegates. 

New Commercial Attaché in Philippine Embassy in New 

Delhi 

The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi welcomed its 

newest addition last November 11 with the arrival 

Mr. Vichael Angelo D. Roaring, its new Commercial 

Attaché. 

Mr. Roaring joined the Department of Trade and 

Industry’s Foreign Trade Service Corps last June 

2007 after eight years in the private sector. Prior to 

joining government, he specialized in marketing 

and business development in a number of Filipino 

and multinational firms including L’Oreal Philippines, the Unisell Group, and 

Suyen Corporation (Bench). 

New Delhi is Mr. Roaring’s first foreign assignment and he looks forward to 

the challenges that lie ahead in bringing trade and investment between the 

Philippines and India to a much higher level. Mr. Roaring graduated with a 

Business Administration degree from the University of the Philippines in 

Diliman. 



Embassy Officials 

strengthen business ties 

with Chennai 

Second Secretary (Economic) and 

Consul Iric Arribas and 

Commercial Attaché Vichael 

Roaring met with officials of 

various business entities in 

Chennai as part of the Embassy’s 

effort to strengthen commercial 

relationship with this major 

South Indian city. These 

organizations include: 

The National Association of 

Software and Services 

Companies (NASSCOM). 

NASSCOM is an organization 

composed of over 1200 member 

companies operating in India 

which are in the business of 

software development, software 

services, software products, ITenabled/BPO 

services and ecommerce. 

It was set up in 1988 

to facilitate business and trade in 

software and services and to 

encourage advancement of 

research in software technology. 

It has partnered with the 

Business Processing Association 

of the Philippines for the 

advancement of these same 

objectives. According to Mr. K. 

Purushothaman, Regional 

Director of NASSCOM for Tamil 

Nadu and Kerala, Chennai is fast 

emerging to be a key destination 

for IT and IT-enabled companies, 

following Bangalore and Delhi. 

Madras Chamber of 

Commerce and Industry. 

Founded in 1836, the Madras 

Chamber of Commerce and 

Industry is one of the oldest 

business chambers in India. It is 

actively involved in the 

promotion of trade and industry 

in South India. Embassy officials 

met with Mr. Subramanian, 

Secretary General of MCCI who 

expressed interest in forging 

stronger economic ties with the 

Philippines through exchange of 

trade and investment missions. 


Perot Systems Corporation. Perot Systems is a global provider of 

technology-based business solutions drawing upon extensive capabilities in 

consulting, IT and business process outsourcing, infrastructure and 

application services, and business and systems integration. Perot Systems is 

headquartered in Plano, Texas, and has more than 23,000 associates 

worldwide. As part of its global expansion, Perot Systems opened its first 

Philippines office in year 2007. 

R.R. Donnelly and Sons. RR Donnelley is the world's premier full-service 

provider of print and related services, including business process 

outsourcing. Founded more than 140 years ago, the company provides 

solutions in commercial printing, direct mail, financial printing, print 

fulfillment, forms and labels, logistics, call centers, transactional print-andmail, 

print management, online services, digital photography, color services, 

and content and database management to customers in the publishing, 

healthcare, advertising, retail, technology, financial services and many other 

industries. The largest companies in the world and others rely on RR 

Donnelley's scale, scope and insight through a comprehensive range of 

online tools, variable printing services and market-specific solutions. Their 

BPO operations are headquartered in New York and provided integrated 

onsite-offshore BPO services to Fortune 500 companies and to professional 

services firms through its operations in North America, Europe, India, Sri 

Lanka and the Philippines. 



Ambassador Benedicto 

visits Mumbai and 

Kolkata 


Benedicto visited the Philippine 

Consulates General (PCGs) in 

Mumbai and Kolkata on 12-14 

November and 17-18 November, 

respectively. He was 

accompanied in the consular 

visits, his first official travel since 

presenting his credentials to 

President Pratibha Patil on 10 

November, by Mrs. Leontina 

Benedicto, Deputy Chief of 

Mission Maria Aileen Bugarin, 

and Second Secretary and Consul 

Iric Arribas. 

In Mumbai, the Ambassador was 

received by Ms. Rajashree Birla, 

Philippine Consul General, ad 

honorem, and a director on the 

boards of the Aditya Birla Group 

of Companies. A dinner was also 

hosted in his honor by 

industrialist Taizoon Khorakiwala 

and spouse Edith. They were 

joined at the dinner by guests 

from India’s hotel, entertainment 

and real estate development 

industry. 

Meanwhile, in Kolkata, the 

Ambassador and his party were 

met by Honorary Consul General 

K.K. Khemka, who toured them 

around the PCG and hosted a 

reception in their honor with the 

local diplomatic corps and 

business community. Apart from 

these, the Embassy officials also 

made a presentation on doing 

business in the Philippines before 

the Indian Chamber of Commerce 

and had a luncheon with the 

Filipino community in Kolkata. 

The Ambassador’s visits to 

Mumbai and Kolkata are part of 

the Embassy’s ongoing efforts to 

enhance the delivery of consular 

services by the Philippine Foreign 

Service Posts in India, as well as 

to project the Philippines as an 

attractive destination for 

investments, with a view to 

strengthening economic ties 

between the Philippines and 



Ambassador and Mrs. Benedicto with Honorary Consul General 

Rajashree Birla (3rd from right) and the Khorakiwala family in 

Mumbai. 

Ambassador Benedicto and party with the Filipino community in Kolkata. 

Dominican Republic Ambassador hosts lunch for 

Ambassador Benedicto 

Ambassador Benedicto is introduced to other Ambassadors by Ambassador 

Hans Frank Danenberg Castellanos, the Dominican Republic's Ambassador to 

India and non-resident Ambassador to the Philippines, who hosted a 

luncheon in Ambassador Benedicto's honor. 

(Left to right) With the Ambassador of Oman, the Ambassadors of Lesotho & Lebanon, 

and with the Ambassador of Ecuador 



Photos of Ambassador 

Benedicto at various 

functions in India 

With the Ambassador of 

Algeria during their National 

Day reception. 


Hungary during their National 

Day reception. 


Turkey and spouse during 

their National Day reception 


Ambassador and Mrs. Benedicto with High Commissioner Savenaca 

Kaunisela and the Defense Attaché of Fiji 

With the Malaysian High Commissioner Dato Tan Seng Sun 

and spouse Datin Julia Tan at the National Day of Malaysia 

With Ambassador Zhang Yan of the People's Republic of China 

and spouse at their National Day reception 



Ambassador and Mrs. 

Benedicto at a lunch with Mr. 

and Mrs. Michael Ellis of the 

American Embassy 

Call on the Ambassador by 

Mr. Chandrakant Salunkhe, 

head of the Small and 

Medium Business 

Development Chamber of 

India 

Call on the Ambassador by 

Mr. Pocholo Azucena, 

Philippine Airlines Manager 

for GSA Relations and Charter 

Services together with Ms. 

Shilpa Sethi of the Philippine 

Tourism Marketing Office, 

New Delhi 

Australia-based Filipino Chef 

Raymond “Sunny” De 

Ocampo (3rd from right) 

called on the Ambassador 

during his recent visit to New 

Delhi as part of a tour to 

promote Australian cuisine. 

They were joined in the photo 

by the Embassy’s officers, and 

the Filipino chefs at The 

Oberoi Hotel, Augusto 

Cabrera and Dennis Garcia. 




Filipinos in India 

organize, interim set of 

officers elected 

With the steady growth in the 

number of Filipinos in India and 

the encouragement by 


Benedicto, the local Filipino 

community recently moved to 

organize themselves into a group 

named “Filipinos In India”. An 

interim set of officers who will 

take the lead in finalizing the 

group’s formation was elected 

through e-mail voting, which 

yielded the following results: 

President: Dante Payawal 

Vice President: Doroteo Jose 

Secretary : Cecille Manguan 

PRO : Noel Arellano 

Treasurer: Fatima Sharma 

Auditor: Vicky Singh 

Sergeant at Arms : Ben Baquilod 

and Augusto Cabrera 

Muse : Sharmaine Buhay 

The interim officers took their 

oath of office, administered by 

Ambassador Benedicto, at the 

induction ceremony held in 

conjunction with a Filipino 

community Diwali party on 18 

October 2008 at the Gurgaon 

penthouse of three Filipino 

professionals. 

“It is high time that the Filipino 

community here in India assume 

a more organized form, and 

thereby receive its due 

recognition, which would enable 

it to play a greater role whether 

in representing our country or 

participating in socio-civic 

projects both in the Philippines 

and here in India,” remarked the 

Ambassador. 


Filipino, Chinese basketball teams face off in friendly 

match 

The Chinese community basketball team made good on their goal to even 

things out with their Filipino opponents, winning the second friendly match 

on 29 November 2008 organized by the Philippine and Chinese Embassies. 

The game, which was held in the Chinese Embassy grounds in Chanakyapuri, 

New Delhi, was won by the Chinese 47-36, two years after the Philippine 

team prevailed in the first friendly match between the two communities. 

Filipino and Chinese expatriates, as well as officers and staff of the two 

Embassies, cheered on their respective players. 

NOTICE OF REGISTRATION AND ELECTION 

TO ALL FILIPINO CITIZENS 

All citizens of the Philippines abroad, not otherwise disqualified by 

law, at least eighteen (18) years of age on the day of the election, 

and who wish to vote for purposes of the 2010 Philippine National 

Elections, must file applications for registration/certification as 

overseas absentee voters from 01 February 2009 until 31 August 

2009 at the Philippine Embassy, New Delhi. 



Filipinos bring 

Christmas to Delhi 

In a testimony to the spirit of 

sharing that surrounds the 

season, the Filipino Community 

in Delhi gathered together for a 

Christmas potluck on 7 

December 2008 in the home of 

a community member in 

Chattarpur Enclave. 

Apart from the sumptuous 

spread of Filipino delicacies, 

with a pair of lechon as a 

centerpiece, the kids were 

treated to a magic show, face 

painting and an inflatable 

castle, while the adults 

entertained themselves with 

karaoke, parlor games and a 

raffle. 

“Christmas is always a joyful 

family affair for us Filipinos, and 

being in another country, we 

tend to miss the company of 

our loved ones on this special 

occasion,” remarked Ms. Maria 

Aileen H. Bugarin, Deputy Chief 

of Mission of the Philippine 

Embassy,” who attended the 

party with other Embassy 

officers and staff. “It’s 

wonderful to have an 

opportunity like this to 

celebrate Christmas with our 

extended family here in India.” 

Filipinos in Bangalore 

get together with 

Embassy officials 

Mr. Iric Arribas, Second 

Secretary and Consul, touched 

base with the Filipinos in 

Bangalore on 12 December 

2008 and informed them of the 

consular services relevant to 

them as Filipinos married to 

Indian nationals residing in 



Help the Embassy to reach you for community activities and in the 

event of a crisis or emergency by registering with us. Drop by the 

Embassy or visit our website at www.newdelhipe.com to fill out 

the registration form.

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